With diverse regions and landscapes, Massachusetts is a natural culinary haven that inspires, delights and encourages unique dining experiences and memories to savor on the taste buds.
There is no limit to the culinary opportunities in Massachusetts. Travelers can dine in the finest of establishments, participate in Restaurant Weeks through our various cities, experience farm-to-table freshness from the many farmers’ markets and celebrate with authentic flavors at an Italian cheese festival in Boston’s historic North End.
Experiences are created for visitors with opportunities to catch their dinner off the coast of Gloucester and have it cooked at local restaurants or visit an organic farm to learn about agriculture and sustainability.
Visitors also branch out of their dining comfort zone to eat by candlelight in a country village while preparing a meal over the hearth.
Massachusetts invites foodies to participate with evening cooking lessons from regional chefs teaching about international cuisines, food techniques and history while the next morning, visiting a candy shop and tasting a 200-year-old recipe.
Visit www.massvacation.com to plan and explore your culinary adventure. The following are just a few examples of unique and exceptional culinary destinations and opportunities throughout the state:
Divas Uncork the Cure” Wine + Food Festival – August 6 – 9
A four day festival of wine, food and sisterhood, bringing together renowned wine experts, celebrity chefs and wine enthusiasts on Martha’s Vineyard from August 6-9 to promote breast health awareness, education and screening in Massachusetts. Visit: www.divasuncorkthecure.com
The 9th Restaurant Week Boston – August 9-14, August 16-21
Visitors can select from more than 200 restaurants: 2-course lunches for $15.09, 3-course lunches for $20.09 and/or dinners for $33.09 throughout Boston, Cambridge and beyond. Visit: www.BostonUSA.com/restaurantweek
The 1st Worcester Restaurant Week – August 3 -14
With nearly 50 local restaurants during a two-week period, diners will be able to dine at some of the area’s finest restaurants offering special 3 course meals, priced at $20.09??
Visit: http://worcesterrestaurantweek.com/
Greater Merrimack Valley Restaurant Week –Now through August 8
For one week this August, fine-dining establishments across the greater Merrimack Valley region will be taking part in the Greater Merrimack Valley Restaurant Showcase Week. Lunches will be available starting at $9.09 and dinners starting at $23.09, and are sure to tantalize any palate. Visit: http://www.merrimackvalleyrestaurantweek.com
The Sorrento Cheese Fisherman’s Feast – August 13-16
Since 1910, this North End Feast has celebrated the devotion of immigrant Sicilian fishermen to the Madonna del Soccorso di Sciacca (Our Lady of Help). This year the Feast takes place on North, Lewis and Fleet Streets with its usual enticing selection of entertainment, food and traditional processions. Visit: http://www.fishermansfeast.com/
Alfalfa Farm Winery Salsa & Sangria Party – August 15
Ticketed event features music by Grupo Fantasia (3-5 p.m.), salsa lessons (2-3 p.m.), 4 sangria/wine tickets and 1 water/nonalcoholic beverage. Free crackers and cheese from Cabot while supplies last. $20 per person, 21-plus. Winery open Saturdays and Sundays beginning Sept. 5 through end of season. Visit: www.alfalfafarmwinery.com
North End Street Festivals – Now through September 6
Experience and enjoy the processions, street fairs, parades, bands and food in Boston’s Little Italy. Visit: http://www.northendboston.com/
August 7 – 9, 2009 ?Madonna Della Cava Society Feast Celebration Battery & Hanover Streets
August 13 – 16, 2009 ?99th Annual Fisherman’s Feast of the ?Madonna Del Soccorso di Sciacca Society of Boston Feast Celebration Fleet & North Streets
August 28 – 30, 2009 ?90th Annual Saint Anthony’s Feast of ?San Antonio Di Padova Da Montefalcione, Inc.?Feast Celebration ?Thatcher & Endicott Streets?
August 31, 2009 ?St. Lucy Society Feast Celebration ?Thatcher & Endicott Streets?
September 6, 2009?Santa Rosalia Di Palermo Society Procession only at 1:00 p.m.? North Square
Taste of Wachusett – September 23
The Taste of Wachusett will celebrate its third year at Wachusett Mountain this fall, enhancing the attendee experience as a festive and unique destination. Last year’s event saw well over 1,000 attendees from all over the central and north central Massachusetts region. This is a great opportunity to check out the region’s finest restaurants, shops, bakeries, orchards, hotels and markets. A sampling of delicious appetizers, soups, entrees, desserts and beverages will be offered. Attendees can enjoy a free sky ride, live music and great camaraderie, while sampling from over 40 regional food and beverage vendors. Visit: www.wachusettchamber.com
New Bedford Working Waterfront Festival – September 26th & 27th
Visitors are welcomed to America’s largest commercial fishing port to learn about the men and women who harvest the North Atlantic. Walk the decks of a scalloper, dine on fresh seafood, mend a fishing net and watch a Coast Guard rescue demonstration. Experience the workings of the industry, which brings seafood from the ocean to your plate. Visit: http://www.workingwaterfrontfestival.org/
Annual Thanksgiving Harvest Festival – November 21 & 22
Visit the Red Apple Farm for the annual Thanksgiving Harvest Festival to experience over 25 local family farms and businesses offering all the best fixings for your Thanksgiving table and home. The festival features delicious food, local live music, and the Harvest X-Games. Visit: www.RedAppleFarm.com
The House of Blues Gospel Brunch – Every Sunday
A tradition at America’s first House of Blues in Cambridge, the new Boston House of Blues is offering visitors “The Gospel Brunch,” which features live music from both local and national artists, as well as a Southern-style buffet every weekend. Visit: http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/boston/gospelbrunch.php
The Red Maple Inn
Recognized by national and regional media, the Red Maple Inn Cooking School with Chef Shari Alexander is a new way to learn about international cuisines, food techniques and history. Each class includes demonstrations of various international cuisines and local seasonal dishes. Intimate dinners for 2 in the parlor, along with special wine pairing dinners by the fireplace are available. Visit: http://theredmapleinn.com/cooking_school.php
Old Sturbridge Village – Dinner In a Country Village
As one of the most unique culinary experiences in the state, “Dinner in a Country Village” is definitely a one-of-a-kind dining experience in an unexpected place. This experience is a chance for guests to enter the Village by lantern light after closing, prepare a meal over the hearth in historical fashion, and dine by candlelight. Visit: http://www.osv.org/activities_events/event_calendar_more.html?ID=420&DateID=1114
Artisan Bread Bakery & Boulangerie
Near the Hyannis rotary, steps away from the entrance to the Barnstable Municipal Airport, sits a 15,000 sq. ft., wholesale Artisan bread bakery and Boulangerie, a French café with live music and outdoor dining, offering classic French dishes, infused with world flavors emphasizing authenticity, simplicity and taste. Visit
www.paindavignon.com
Sweet Salem
Salem is well known for its witches, but it is also home to some wicked good confectionery. Take a tour of the Harbor Sweets (www.harborsweets.com) chocolate factory–complete with vats of chocolate, copper kettles full of hot sugar, and a waterfall of white chocolate–and get an up-close look at how they create their famous Sweet Sloops®. You can also visit America’s oldest candy company, Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie (www.yeoldepeppercandy.com), to taste the first commercially made candy, the Salem Gibraltar, which is still made using the original, 200-year-old recipe. Finally, stop by Maria’s Sweet Somethings (www.mariassweetsomethings.com) for some of the most decadent ice cream, chocolates, and desserts in town.
Grand Dining at Castle Hill
This autumn, the Boston Celebrity Chef Series returns to the Inn at Castle Hill. The series is hosted by The Trustees of Reservation and is based on their interest of promoting sustainable practices. See the “natural progression from seed to table,” as local produce, seafood, and meats are turned into delicious dishes by Boston’s most renowned chefs. Visit: www.theinnatcastlehill.com).
Organic Bounty at Green Meadows Farm
Green Meadows Farm of Hamilton is a certified organic farm that offers a variety of opportunities and events that support local agriculture and sustainability. Visit: www.gmfarm.com)
Gloucester’s Catch of the Day
For visitors who want to catch their own dinner, Gloucester has cooked up a few options that feature the freshest ocean offerings. Latitude 43 Restaurant & Bar (www.latfortythree.com) and Adventures at Yankee Fleet have teamed up to offer a “We Cook What You Catch” Fish Tour. In addition, the Gloucester House Restaurant (www.thegloucesterhouse.com) on Seven Seas Wharf also partners with a charter fishing boat for adventurous souls. Wash your meal down with a Fisherman’s Brew from Cape Ann Brewing.
Salem Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
You can enjoy a great “Who Done it” mystery play and help solve the mystery while dining at the Salem Cross Inn. Then spend the night at the Yankee Cricket Bed and Breakfast. Visit: http://www.salemcrossinn.com/
Hardwick Vineyard & Winery
Hardwick Vineyard and Winery is located on a quiet country road that winds around the Quabbin Reservoir. With breathtaking floral gardens and mountain vistas surrounding you, our captivating setting adds a romantic mood for any special event or day trip. Visit: http://www.hardwickwinery.com/